As part of the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Engagement’s Lead@3 speaker series, three women shared three insights on leadership at sessions starting at 3 p.m. throughout the spring 2025 semester.
Three speakers are invited each semester to give a talk on women’s leadership in higher education and beyond. Juanita Hicks, vice president and chief human resources officer; Brett Jackson, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services; and Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering and 2024 SEC Professor of the Year; all spoke on their paths toward leadership and shared some lessons they learned along the way.
Hicks discussed the value of authenticity in leadership during her talk on Feb. 12, saying that it’s important for women to support themselves on their leadership journey while continuing to support themselves as an individual. Part of that authenticity is leaning in to opportunities that grow your skills and stretch your boundaries, as Hicks has done throughout her career.
“I really love the mission of what we do,” Hicks said. “I get to be in my functional area, but I also get to be part of a great big universe that is doing so much good in the world. I wanted to lean in to that concept.”
Hicks also shared a few leadership principles she follows: giving leadership autonomy through boundaries and decision-making clarity, providing transparency through data, fostering accountability through knowledge, and staying relationship-driven through clarity of roles and responsibilities.
Jackson, who spoke on March 26, also spoke about taking chances when they’re presented — even if that means taking on two jobs at once. While serving in director roles with Auxiliary Services, she simultaneously served as assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. “When I stepped out of my comfort zone, I grew tremendously,” Jackson said. “It gave me a whole different view of the university. It gave me insight into how things work and how Auxiliary Services could fit in.”
Jackson leads from why, helping her team build an appreciation for what they’re trying to accomplish. She said it’s important to take time to look at and think about the path taken and how that affects the path forward.
In her April 30 talk, Jambeck shared with attendees her formula for perseverance. Working in the environmental engineering industry, it’s not uncommon to encounter a person who does not wish to understand waste and pollution. However, through perseverance, she finds ways to continue her work.
“There are times to persist, and there are times to be patient. They’re continuously in tension, but also in balance,” Jambeck said. “That is how I’ve been able to persevere.”
She also discussed how professional connections allowed her to reach her career goals. As a National Geographic Fellow and creator of a globally used debris tracker app, Jambeck hopes to provide community for other women. Upon her arrival to UGA, she was one of three women in her department. Now, the number of women in the College of Engineering has increased significantly.
“It’s really great to see that and to have a community to reach out to,” Jambeck said.
